Walking the room
When lecturing, don't stand still or worse sit down!
Generally speaking, most rooms are set up poorly for lecturing. I definitely stand, but moving behind students is uncomfortable for me.
I wonder if there are any other alternatives.
Hi Jennifer - welcome to ED 103! You can remain in the front of the room but make sure that you are moving as you lecture. Write on the board, move closer as you listen to a student answer or ask a question etc. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
I agree Mr. Bruce. I feel there needs to be movment and activity including much interaction with students.
I agree with Mr. Bruce. By continually moving around the room while "lecturing" the instructor has a better chance of keeping all of the students engaged in the discussion. I prefer to use the term "topic discussion" because it sounds more engaging then the term "lecturing".
I agree as well. I move across the front of the classroom and on occassion walk up the center isle. This also helps me make eye contact with each student as I speak.
This technique sounds familiar; I announce that "it's time to feed your mind" instead of using the word "lecture". And yes, standing and moving about helps keep the students' attention. I also break a long "lecture" time into shorter time segments: this helps ensure I maintain thier "fullest" attention.
When lecturing you've got to maintain their attention which means appealing to as many of the learning styles as possible, or you are a yawn. In presentation changes in movement, volume, pauses, gesture and visual info is key to engagement, and communication. Be among them. Address them with eye contact. Think of how tv talk show hosts engage their live audiences. Walk among them. Even Conan moves towards the camera lens to convey the illusion of intimacy with his home viewer. The gospel according to Toastmasters: Be loud; be brilliant ; and be gone.
I often sit when I teach because I am doing a demonstration of computer software. I try to teach the concepts standing at the white board before I sit down to demo the implementation of that concept in a particular software package.
Hi Dennis- Thanks for your post to the forum. I loved your analogies to the entertainment world! Despite the fact that many instructors find that repulsive , I truly believe there are some areas where there is (or should be!) some crossover. Bottom line is - If we do not have their attention, we cannot teach! Best wishes - Susan
I think the way a room is laid out will help dictate how you lecture. But, I don't think you should always sit or stand still or move around. Do all three to keep the students engaged!
I liked the comment from Toastmasters.
I walk the room, I find the students pay attention and feel more involved. They also know that I will be passing by them and I will be able to tell what they are doing.
If I can't move around the room, I change the room setup, move tables or location of the material. Of coarse only if it is possible to do so.
Rita'
Hi Rita- Thanks for your post to the forum. In our old campus that was located in a downtown office building almost every classroom had in its center a weight-bearing column. As insturctors we all learned how to move around that pole teaching away! We still encourage our faculty to move around as they teach -even have a faculty development module called "Burn the Podium"! Best wishes- Susan
Hi Brian -In addition it's great exercise! (-: Susan
Pre-arrange the seating to allow for smooth flowing movement by the instructor during lecture. If there are displays such as chrts and diagrams, locate these so that students' attention can follow the "action" without having to contort or shift while taking notes. I've found that keeps the students focused about what we're going to discuss next.
HI David - Thanks for sharing some great ideas that will help us keep our eyes on the details of our classroom environment. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
